The budgetary allocation of Rs 1002 crores by Indian Finance Minister has given a new impetus to Govt of India’s ambition of rolling out digital passports in 2023. The second phase of Passport Seva Program (PSP V2.0) will be rolled out by Ministry of External Affairs by replacing the traditional passport with the digital one.
A digital passport, also known as a digital identity, is a secure and verifiable online representation of a person’s identity. It typically includes personal information, such as name, address, date of birth, and other details, as well as digital identifiers such as biometric data and digital signatures. A digital passport can be used for various purposes, such as accessing government services, banking, and other financial transactions, and for establishing one’s identity in an online setting. The security of a digital passport depends on the technology used to create and store it, such as blockchain or cryptography, and the level of trust placed in the issuing authority.
The traditional paper-based passport has several limitations and drawbacks, including the following:
Physical Vulnerability: Physical passports can be lost, damaged, or stolen, and there is a risk of forgery or alteration.
Time-Consuming: The process of obtaining a physical passport can be time-consuming and requires the individual to visit a government office or embassy.
Lack of Interoperability: Physical passports are not interoperable between different countries, and there is no common standard for their issuance or verification.
Limited Use: Physical passports are only useful for travel and do not have the capability to be used for other purposes, such as online transactions or access to government services.
A digital passport addresses these issues by providing a secure and verifiable online representation of a person’s identity. A digital passport can be used for various purposes, and the digital credentials can be easily verified, reducing the risk of fraud. Additionally, digital passports can be stored securely in the cloud, making them less vulnerable to loss or damage and more easily accessible to the individual. By using digital technologies such as blockchain or cryptography, digital passports can provide a higher level of security compared to traditional paper-based passports.
Estonia’s e-Residency program launched in 2014 is one of the earliest examples of a digital passport system. The program allows individuals from around the world to apply for a digital ID, which can be used for online business and government services. The success of Estonia’s e-Residency program demonstrates the importance of having a secure and reliable digital infrastructure to support the issuance and verification of digital passports.
Japan launched its pilot program for a digital passport in 2019. The pilot program was aimed at exploring the potential benefits of using digital passports for travel and other purposes and was part of the country’s efforts to modernize its passport system and make it more secure, efficient, and convenient for citizens.
The digital passport pilot program in Japan used biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, to verify the identity of the individual and make it more secure. The success of the pilot program paved the way for the further development and implementation of a digital passport system in Japan. Australia: Australia is developing a digital passport system, which will be used to facilitate secure and seamless travel. The digital passport will store biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, to verify the identity of the individual. The Australian experience shows the importance of having a clear legal framework and standardization in place to ensure that digital passports are recognized and accepted by other countries and international organizations.
These examples demonstrate the potential benefits of digital passports, including improved security, convenience, and efficiency. However, they also highlight the need for careful consideration of privacy, security, and legal issues when implementing such systems. It is important to find the right balance between the benefits and the risks of digital passports to ensure that they can be adopted effectively and responsibly.
Here are some lessons that can be learned from the digital passport initiatives in Estonia, Japan, and Australia:
- Emphasize security: Security is a key concern for digital passport initiatives, and it is important to implement strong security measures to protect sensitive personal information and biometric data.
- Make it user-friendly: A digital passport system should be designed with the user in mind, making it easy and convenient to use, with a user-friendly interface and minimal hassle.
- Address privacy concerns: Privacy is a critical issue for digital passport initiatives, and it is important to ensure that personal information and biometric data is protected and not shared without the individual’s consent.
- Ensure interoperability: To be successful, a digital passport system should be designed to be interoperable with other digital passport systems and recognized by other countries, making it easier for individuals to travel internationally.
- Invest in technology: Digital passport initiatives require significant investment in technology, including hardware, software, and infrastructure, to ensure that they are secure, efficient, and convenient to use.
- Address legal and regulatory issues: Digital passport initiatives also need to address legal and regulatory issues, such as data protection and privacy laws, to ensure that they comply with local and international regulations.
Overall, digital passport initiatives require careful planning, design, and implementation to be successful. By learning from the experiences of countries like Estonia, Japan, and Australia, other countries can develop and implement successful digital passport initiatives of their own.
The Aadhaar program has become one of the largest biometric identification systems in the world, and has been used for a variety of purposes, including opening bank accounts, accessing government services, and obtaining government subsidies and benefits. As of 2022, Aadhaar, the unique identity program in India, has enrolled over 1.3 billion citizens and residents of India. Aadhaar provides a unique 12-digit identification number to everyone based on biometric and demographic data and serves as a proof of identity and address in India.
Aadhaar, could potentially be leveraged for a digital passport initiative in India. Aadhaar already serves as a form of national identification for millions of Indian citizens and contains biometric information such as fingerprints and facial recognition data.
Here are some ways that Aadhaar could be used in a digital passport initiative in India:
Verification of identity: Aadhaar could be used to verify the identity of an individual applying for a digital passport, reducing the need for additional forms of identification.
Streamlining the application process: By leveraging Aadhaar, the digital passport application process could be streamlined, reducing the time and effort required to apply for a passport.
Improved security: Aadhaar is linked to biometric information, which can be used to enhance the security of the digital passport system.
However, it is important to note that while Aadhaar could be leveraged for a digital passport initiative in India, there are also privacy and security concerns that need to be addressed. There have been concerns about the security of Aadhaar data, as well as the potential for the misuse of personal information.
Overall, the use of Aadhaar in a digital passport initiative in India would need to be carefully considered, considering both the potential benefits and the privacy and security concerns. The technology behind digital passports is designed to provide a secure, efficient, and convenient way for people to travel and verify their identity.
In a blockchain-based digital passport system, passport information could be stored on a decentralized ledger, which would allow for real-time updates to passport information and provide a secure and transparent way for border control systems to access passport information.
Another potential benefit of using blockchain for digital passports is that it could enable greater interoperability between different countries and digital passport systems. This could make it easier for people to travel and verify their identity when crossing international borders.
Digital Passport benefits to different stakeholders i.e., government, users, technology providers, system integrators, airports
Government: Digital passports can help governments to manage passport information more efficiently and securely, reduce fraud, and improve the accuracy and timeliness of information. This can help to improve border security and make travel more efficient for citizens.
Users: Digital passports provide a secure and convenient way for users to carry and access their passport information while traveling. They can help to simplify the travel process, reduce the need for physical passport documents, and provide users with a secure way to verify their identity. Digital passports are likely to cut down the wait time for security clearances at the airports
Technology providers: Digital passports present an opportunity for technology companies to develop and provide innovative solutions for passport management, biometric authentication, and data storage. This can help to drive innovation and growth in the technology sector.
System integrators: Digital passports can create opportunities for system integrators to provide services such as integration with existing government systems, secure data storage and management, and the development of custom applications and solutions. This can help to improve the efficiency and security of passport systems and create new business opportunities.
Airport: digital passports offer several benefits to airports, by improving security, reducing processing times, improving the passenger experience, and enhancing data management capabilities.
Overall, Digital passports can bring benefits to a wide range of stakeholders by improving the efficiency and security of passport systems, reducing fraud, and making travel more convenient and efficient for citizens.
Passenger data collected through digital passports can be leveraged to offer better travel experience in several ways:
Personalized services: By collecting and analyzing passenger data, airports and airlines can gain insights into individual travelers’ preferences and behaviors. This information can be used to offer personalized services such as seating and meal options, baggage handling, and ground transportation.
Improved security: The data collected through digital passports can be used to enhance security by allowing authorities to perform background checks on passengers and detect potential security threats. The information can also be used to improve the efficiency of security processes, such as passport control and baggage screening.
Targeted marketing: Airlines and airports can use passenger data to target marketing efforts and offer personalized promotions and incentives to travelers. For example, they may use data on travelers’ previous flight history to offer upgrades or other special perks.
Streamlined processes: By using passenger data to automate and streamline processes, airports and airlines can improve the overall efficiency and speed of their operations, resulting in a better experience for passengers.
Improved decision-making: The data collected through digital passports can be used to inform strategic decision-making by airports and airlines. For example, it can be used to identify trends in passenger behavior and preferences, which can help to inform investments in infrastructure and technology.
Overall, the data collected through digital passports has the potential to greatly enhance passenger services by providing a more personalized and efficient travel experience.
